Microsoft posts first loss ever

Software giant Microsoft has reported its first quarterly loss in history. The loss was apparently caused by the $6.2 billion Aquantative write down, which failed to yield profits expected by Redmond.

The quarterly loss amounts to $492 million compared with a profit of $5.9 in the same period last year. However, in spite of the Aquantative flop, Microsoft seems to be doing quite well on most fronts. Q2 revenue rose by 4 percent to $18 billion and Microsoft shares went up 1.6 percent following the earnings report.

Microsoft will introduce Windows 8 in three months, along with Windows RT, Windows Phone 8 and a range of associated products, including the new Office suite, Visual Studio and server packages. Also, Microsoft will roll out its Surface tablet to coincide with the Windows 8/RT launch.